Getting Around Orlando: Your Transportation Options

Greater Orlando spans several counties (LYNX alone serves three), and distances between the airport, theme parks, downtown and the suburbs can be larger than first-time visitors expect. Your best option depends on where you are staying, how many people are in your group, and how many separate areas you plan to visit.

Some visitors combine modes: a shuttle or ride service from the airport, a bus or rail line for some days, and a rental car or ride service for others.

Driving gives the most flexibility but brings parking costs and toll roads. Florida's Turnpike Enterprise, part of the state transportation department, notes that most rental car companies offer programs that include tolls in the rental agreement, and that each company has a different payment arrangement. Read your agreement carefully before you accept or decline a toll option.

The state's toll-by-plate option is not available to customers in rental cars. For traffic, incidents, cameras and road conditions, Florida's official real-time traffic service is FL511.

Downtown Orlando road closures change from time to time because of events and major roadwork, so check before you go.

LYNX provides public bus service in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties. SunRail is a commuter rail line that runs Monday through Friday. LYMMO is a downtown Orlando circulator that LYNX describes as fare-free. Our public transportation guide covers each in more detail.

NeighborLink, also from LYNX, is an on-demand service within set zones rather than a fixed route. Always check LYNX service alerts, because events and construction can cause reroutes.

At the airport, taxis, shuttle vans and ride-share pick-ups operate from marked areas, and some hotels provide their own airport transportation. Away from the airport, ask your hotel whether it offers shuttles and where they go.

Taxis picking up at the airport are metered, so the meter determines the fare. A flat fare is not authorized there.

The City of Orlando allows dockless shared bikes and scooters under a local ordinance. The city asks riders to obey traffic laws, to wear a helmet (required for riders under 16), to slow down near pedestrians, and not to block sidewalks, curb ramps, wheelchair ramps or bus stops when parking a device.